Conveying apparatus



Feb. 14, 1928.

A F. D. ENNEY CONVEYING APPARATUS s sheets-sheet .2

Filed Sept. 15, 1924 Feb. 14, 192s.

F. D. ENNEY CONVEYING APPARATUS Filledsept. 15. 1924' s Smets-sheet s :J1/mutex attuano.;

hh. NW.

Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

'UNITED stares FRANK l). ENNEY, OF CEARLESTUN, -WEST VIRGINIA.

CONVEYING APLPARATUS.

Application tiled. September 15, 19%. Serial No. 737,933.

lhis invention relates to conveyor mechanism generally, and more particularly to conveycr mechanism tor handling coal;K

earthn or rock discharged Afrom mining or f excavating machinery; in coal mines or in `general excavating operations. Conveying` zuiparatus is particularly desirable for use in coal mining in connection with continuously operating coal cutters in order to coni vey the cut coal 'from the movable cutting and charging machine to a stationary device used to load the coal into cors tor removal irom the mine. For this purpose .acontinuously extensible type oit conveyer is most i5 desirable in order to allow the uninterrupted forward movement ot the cutting inachine throughout a days run.

lt is a general object ot this invention to provide a novel and improved conveyer 20 mechanism of the extensible type.

More particularly, it is an object ci this invention to provide an extensible conveyor' mechanism, the length of which may be so adjusted that, when used in connection with mining or excavating machinery7 the material cut may be conveyed from the ma chine continuously to a tilted discharge point, notwithstanding the advance ot the machine in the cutting operation.

Another object oit this invention consists in the provision of a novel conveying .apparatus wherein two endless belt tyirieconveyers arranged one above the other, both runningl in the same direction, the uppermost one being adapted to discharge upon the lower one and being longitudinally adjustable in respect thereto, one portion of the conveyer being` provided with charging mechanism and the other portion with adjustable discharging mechanism for loading cars; etc.

lt is still a further object ot this invention to provide a. noveltorni ot extensible eonveyer including a stationary framework carrying a Dbelt type conveyor and a movable A.tremework carrying a belt type conveyer, both ot' said conveyers running in the same direction, the movable one being located above and adapted to discharge onto the .tower one. means beiney provided to adjust the overlap oit the two ccnveyers tov reguhitc thedistance between the charging and discharging ends oit the mechanism; and additional means being` provided ifor the convenient extension of the stationary portion ot the conveyer in order to increase the range of the mechanism.

For an understanding of this invention, reference should be had to the following specification taken together' with the accompanying drawings wherein are disclosedseveral embodiments ot the invention for the purpose oi illustrating the manner otcarrying the sameinto etlect, with the understanding that various modifications and changes may be made in the various parts .and their associations without departing trom the scope oit the invention. Y

in said drawings: y .i

Figure l is a side elevation ot the stationary part oit a conveyor constructed according` to this invention and including a discharge loading mechanism;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the Inov-` able portion oi the conveyer showing `one torni ot charging device, the t'orward end ot the stationary portion being shown in cooperation with the movable portion;

Figure 3 is a transverse section on line. 3 8 of Figure 2 showing means for extend-` ing the stationary portion of the conveyor;

Figure 4- is a transverse vertical section on the line 4 4 of Figure 2 showing the means of mounting and supporting the movable portion ot the conveyer; y

Figure 5 is a side elevation ot the overlapping portions ci the stationary and movable parts of a conveyer showing a modified manner of supporting the movable portion;

Figure 6 v.is a transverse vertical section on lined-G oit Figure 5;

`Figure 7 is a plan view of the forward or charging end ot the movable portion ot a conveyer showing in conjunction therewith a pair of wing type conveyers tor use in hand loading;

Figure 8 is an end elevation of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a vertical section on line 9--9 ot Figure 7 Figure l0 is a vertical section on line 10Q-l0 of Figure 7; and

Figure 11 is a detail on an enlarged scale.

Referring particularly to Figure `1 there is disclosed at A a movable boom type of discharge apparatus tor loading cars, and at R a known type ot coal cuttingv machinewhich is adapted to move forward under its own power into the tunnel cut by itself in order to keep its cutters against the tace of the coal., For the purpose ot connecting the stationary discharge device A with the movable cutting device B, it is necessary to provide some form ot extensible conveyer mechanism for conveniently transporting the coal from the deviceB to the device A. For this purpose, there is provided a pair of traveling belt conveyers C and D, the conveyer C resting upon the ground or the floor of the mine and being directly connect-cd to the discharge mechanism A, while the conveyer D is adapted to be supported in any suitable manner above the conveyor C being directly connected to and adapted to move with the cutting and charging mech anism B. The conveyor D oif'erlaps the conveyer C and both beltsrun in the same direction in order that materal on the belt D on reaching the end thereof will be discharged upon the belt of the conveyer C to be carried to the dischargingl mechanism.

The conveyer C comprises a framework composed of tour parallel and longitudinally extendingl bars 10, 11, 12 and 13 arranged upon the tour edges ot a rectangular prism. The upper and lower members on each side ot the trame are connected together at intervals by means ot the vertical plates 14: overlapping' the longitudinal bars and being tastened thereto in any suitable manner such as by rivet-ing, welding' or bolting. The plates 141 on opposite sides ot the lrameworlt are exactly opposite each other and each pair thereof provide support t'or two transversely extending cylindrical rods 15 and 1G, providing axles upon which the rollers 17 and 18 are journalled. It may sometimes be preferable to provide solid side members, such as steel plates, which mayv taire the place of the longitudinal members 10, 1l, 12 and 13 and the vertical members 14, thus forming a framework comprising two parallel side members connected together b v the axles of the rollers, Such a construction will better serve to protect the belt from slate falls or from coal thrown against it b v blasts.

The uppermost rollersl 17 may be ot an)l suitable type to support the traveling belt 19, and as shown in the ligure are preferablyv of the t-roughing type having the parallel central section 20 and the conical ends 21 in order to cause the belt to assume the torni oi a trough as is well known, for the pur pose ot preventing the conveyed material from falling' oil of the edges ot the belt. The return or idler pulleys 18 may be oit any desired type, here shown as plain parallel cylinders. Bosses 22 are formed integral with the vertical plates 111 in order to provide thickened sections to retain and support the shafts 15 and 1G and also to limit the amount of longitudinal movement ot the rollers.

The shafts 16 are extended a considerable distance beyond the outer faces of the plates lel in order to provide axles upon which are mounted wheels 23 adapted to support the conveyer mechanism aud to allow it to be readily moved in a lont'itiulinal direction when desi able.

ln order that the conveyor mechanism may be readily t unreported. it is m-.ide ot as light construction as possible consistent with strength, and in order to provide additional support against buckling due to the weight of material on the belt, means are provided at the forward and rearward endsol the stationary portion C to place it under longin tudinal tension. l-iuch means may conveniently be, at the forward cud, a pair ot mine jacks such as El fastened, as is u'cll known, between the 'door and the ceilingI olf the mine tunnel and conniwted to the reduced ttorwurd end ot the stationartiv portion C by means ot the pins ilo. The rearward end of the framework C is connected to the stationary discharge incchauitm jt by means oil the boat jacks 2li, one connected to each ot the members 10, 11,4 1Q and 13. These jacks are in the nature of large turnhuchles liavinnl ratchet handles whereinW cinisiderablc long., tudinal tension may be applied throughout the length of 4the conveyor mechanism in or der to retain it rioid and in a straight line.

The belt lll pas. s over the large head pulley 2i' at the i'orward end of the stationary convejyer and at the rearn'iu'd cud elcvated 4where the traineworl; members diverge as shown at Pil, and pas: .i over thc idler pulley Q9 and the tail pulley 30 at the discharge end from whence it pa partall",T around the drive wherl ll and the snub pulley,Y 32. which may be provided with weights or springs to maintain a proper tension on the belt, and is retin-ned along the idler rollers 18. 'lhe tail pullcj7 ill) :is mount ed on a loading' boom which can be raised or lowered as desired in order to discharpje the conveyed material into the car or other de vice such as shown at tlf-l.

The electric motor l-l drives the drive wheel 31 by means ot 'the` worm and worin wheel mechanism shown at 35, the positirm oit the snub pulley S-ll beine adjustable to var v the tension on the belt.

The upper hars 10 and 11 ol'A the statirnn ary conveyor .system project sliu'htlj,T :bore the upper ends of the 1vertical spacers 14- and form rails upon which `u'rooved Wheels carrying' the movable conveyor srstcln are adapted to travel, This movublii Conveyor system con'iprises a conveyor :traine substair tiallv identical in structure with either tvpc oit the lower trame, .shown as haring:` side rails or liars 10', 11, l2 and lil and the vertical space plates 1li' concartinaY the two bars on either side oit the t'ranuwforlt. Karlos 15 and 1G serve to carri7 the troiurhiugg roll ers 20 and the idler rollers 1S. instead ol' the wheels 23, the extensions ot the axles 1li are provided with the wheels 23 grooved as at 36 to fit over the Side rails 10 and 11 of the lower eonveyer frame. It will be undern stood that the belt 19 of the upper conveyyer frame is adapted to travel in the 'same direction, as shown by the arrows, as the belt 19 in the lower conveyer frame in order that material discharged from the upper belt will be carried by the lower belt to the discharge mech anis m Any suitable mechanism may be provided at the charging' end of the movable conveyer system. In Figure 2 there is disclosed, by way of example, only, a coal cutting machine rigidly attached to the conveyer frame and comprisingl a crib 37 supported by the wheels 38 adapted to run on the floor of a mine. A pair of parallel shafts 39 carry at their forward ends the cutters 450 adapted to be rotated in opposite directions by means of the cross shaft 41 to which they are connected bymeans of the wormand worm wheel drives 42. 'The cross shaft 40 is driven from the electric motor 4:3 by means of the worm and worm wheel 44 or any other suitable drive. The direction of rotation of the cutters is such that they ad- Vance toward each other at the bottom and thus serve to scoop up the coal which they have already cut and pass it onto the belt 19 which extends from the conveyer frame over the idler pulleys 45 to the head pulley 4.6 spaced closely adjacent to the cutters and beine@r driven by suitable gearing (not shown) from the motor 43. Any of the well known means for advancing the coal cutting mechanism may be used, it being noted that the machine is always free to travel forward carrying with it the upper conveyer mecha.- nism to the extent of the overlap of the two conveyor systems. It is foiind desirable to provide sutlicient length to the upper conveyer frame to allow for one days ruiming of the coal cutter`r after which it may be necessary to lengthen the stationary frame work if it is not found desirable to move the track upon which the cars 33 travel.

ln order to provide for the ready lengthening of the stationary conveyer framework, the four longitudinal bars or the plates forming` the framework are each made in two sections which overlap as shown at 47 in Figure 2, and which is clearly illustrated in the cross section Figure 3. Each ot the overlappingsections is provided vwit-h a series of transverse holes, pairs of which may be broughtinto register and pins inserted to maintain the frame rigid. At the end of a days run, when it is desirable to lengthen the stationary framework, these pins may be withdrawn, the belt disconnected and the forward end of the framework rolled on its rollers to a position where its foremost end is substantially against the rear of the crib 37. The belt may now be pieced to thev proper length and the framework extended to place it under sufficient tension to lift the snub pulley,` the pins then being placed in registering,` holes in t-he frame, after which the mine jacks 24 are fastended in position and tension applied to the frame by means of the boat jacks 26. It will be obvious that any desirable length of the stationary framework may be obtained by the addition of extra sections and that the amount of overlap between the upper and lower frameworks may be any desired amount to accom` modate the speed of movement of the charging" device.

Figures 5 and disclose a. slight moditication of the conveying system just declosed, the stationary portion being a substantial duplicate of that shown in Figues l to 4,

inclusive. The movable portion may be provided with any form of loading mechanism, either that shown in Figure 2 or any other, and it is adapted to be moved and adjusted longitudinally in respect to the lower portion by being rolled on the wheels 50 which are mounted upon the axles 51 carried in the bosses 52 upon extensions of the vertical spacing plates 142. Guide members 53 of L-shape project downward from the axles and at their inner ends cooperate with the outer faces of the vertical space plates 142 on the bottom framework to maintain the two frameworks in proper alignment. The mode of operation is in every respect the same as i'n the previously described modification, but it is sometimes found that owing' to the roughness or unevenness of the `floor, better operation can be obtained 4by use of the large wheels. Movingr of the upper conveyer and the coal cutter is also facilitated.

ln Figures 7 to 11 is disclosed a modification in which means are providedk to accommodate hand charging in connection with the traveling beltl which is particularly desirable for use in low veins of coal where it would be found necessary under present mining' conditions to remove either the roof or floor to Vmake sufficient head room. In this system, the lower or stationary frame work is substantially identical with that de-` scribed in the two previous modifications, but being` shown with the sides formed of solid plates 54. The upper framework as shown is formed of the solid side plates 55, adapted to roll on the top edges of the plates 54 by means of the rollers 56 carried thereby. The outer end of the upper section is widened so that its lower edge is in the same plane as the lower edge of the lower section, and this portion is provided with the wheels 57` adapted to run on the floor of the mine.

Upon either side of the forward end of the movable section are mounted the wing` sections 5S. These sections include the side plates 59 with the enlarged inner and'outer llt) end portions G0. and 61 which are held together in a similar manner to those of the niain portion of the conveyer, that is, by the transverse axles tor the tronghingsv and idler rollers. The belt on the upper lor movable section of the conveyer rnns as usual over the tronghing rollers (i2 and the idler rollers (S3, but at the widened portion tis slopes downmirdlyj as shown best in Figure 9, end the upper reach thereoi passes beneath the rollers (l5 which canse it to rnn horizontally. rlhe belt then returns around the head pulley,v lG carried in the extension G7 ot the widened portion, roin whence it returns over the usual idlers (53. uEach of the ning eonveyers 5S is provided with a belt, as shown, running; over the upper or trongghing rollers 68 and the return idler (il). ft the onter end oi' these Wing sections are the head pulleys TO. with means 'il lfor adinstintg` the tension ol' the belt. The belts incline npwardly toward the center andpass over the discharge pulleys 72 which are closely adiacent to the horizontal portion oit the upper eonveyer belt which is delined b v the rollers (l5. Guides 'T3 are provided in order that coal passing' over the discharge pulleys 72 may be guided ont toward `the center of lne belt on the upper or movable eonveyer section.

The Wing belts may be driven in an)Y snitable inanner. llfhere they are bollI finite long, it mayv be best. to drive thein with an independent motor, @hiring the upper or 1n( able section o'l`; the belt troni the saine motor, since with a wide' lrontsuch as caused by the large Wing sections, the 'forward n'ioveinent in onedny Will be finite small, and hence the movable section n'ill be short and the belt can readily7 he driven troni the wing belt drive. lllhere, however, the wing;` belts are fairlir short, it may be found ldesirable to drive. them with one inotor and the belt of the movable section with another, since it will be soinevvhat longer to take care ot a dars run.

B v the use of device as described in this modification, itvvill be apparent that niiners removing` coal hv hand can shorel .it on the i'ravelingil wing belts and it will be carried to the main belt oit the movable section and then transferred to the lnain belt ot the stationarj,v coni'eyer frame and `linallj discharged by ineens ot the loading' device into the cars. Since the height ot the whole mechanism is not great. it is apparent that it may be used when Working,` verfY low veins o'l coal without necessitatinoI the removal. olf rfnilingr or flooring' for head rooin as vfith the nsnal car type ol convejfer. Since the wide iront of this Wing;l type conveyor will, oit' necessity, move 'forward verjv slowly the movable portion of the lrainenork which overlaps the stationary 4framework need be but quite short.

The wing belts move inward toward the niain belt and are adepted lo be loaded by hand, the miners standing' in 'front ot the Wing sections are shovelling thecoal thereon. In order to prevent the coal troni being thrown over the belts, that is, beyond the wing sections, the side extensions Tl are pro- `vided which comprise the plates, best shown in Figure l0, curved in transverse section ovl-whipping the `belt and provided `with the stillening bars T projecting; vertically dflivnn'ard'therefrom as shon'n at Til and being.; hi-ildb'y the straps 'Ti on the side plates Till, from which theymagi' be readily: relnovlial when desired.l .in Figure lll a trai'isverse View ot a .vingseclion is shown. All if; haar from this vien' that the solid eide plrlltes 5l) are provided 'with the bosses itl to better snpoert the axles for the tronzehini; rollers illu' and the idler rollers ('39. the :idler rollers may be pipe sections provided with ball bearings at their ends in order ihal they may more readily,Y rotate on their aides. The tronghing rollers may consist oi a central pipe section il) having; at its ends ball or other suitable bearings and the three coni cal sections S0, 8l and .it each end there ot, proggi.'essivelj)T increasing,l in sixt; and each havingl independent bearingfjs on the axle in order that the parts may' rotate, at dit ferent speeds due to their dilerent diameters and the constant belt speed.

.lijf making the side members ol the vari ons coin'eyer portions ot solid steel flnlcif, holes iney be drilled in dill'erent portions in order that changes may be .--cadiljvV mail@ in the location and spacing o l1 the idler and trongrl'iing rollers or the head pulleys. etc., lo adapt the conveyors tor dilibrent uses. and it wi lltl1ns be evident that eid-reineconven-v ience is provided by this cons 'rnction and llic 'leivest number of parts consistent with economy are provided for a large variety of convei'er types.

Frein the above description and drawings, it will be clear that this invention conteniplates a material inlprovf-nnent in converrais.. cspeciall)Y those for use in coal or other mines. The machines are also ilarlicnlarlj.' adapted ior use with entry driving; maillinery, loading or tunneling;l nnichines or lor :in v other apparatus where it desirable lo keep the charging' end ot the conveyor np lo the Workingpoint et all tiines nfithoul inorinir the discharge end.

This invention has been particularly de scribed for use in etnljunction with niiniilgij machinery, but it will be clear to tlm-=c sld lleil in the art that the particular type rol' een veyer disclosed will be lound use-inl llaroneh ont a Wide lield and is not parl'icnlnrlj.' liloited to the mining industry. and it is: thine fore the intention oit l'hisinveution io he limited only by the scope irl the appeinlrll claims.

till

(lll

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by U. S. Letters Patent is:

l. Conveying apparatus of the class described, in combination, a continuous belt conveyer, a framework therefor adapted to reston a supporting surface, means to place said framework under longitudinal tension, a second continuous belt conveyer, a framework therefor, and means supporting said second framework, for longitudinal adjustment, above said firstframework.

2. Conveying apparatus of the class described, in combination, a traveling` conveyer having discharge mechanism at one end thereof, a framework for said conveyer adapted to slidably rest on a supporting surface, means to tension said framework longitudinally, a second continuous belt conveyer having charging means at one end thereof, a frame work therefor, and meansk supporting said second framework, for longitudinal adjustment, above said first framework whereby the distance between said discharging and said charging means may be adjusted without changing belt lengths.

3. Conveying apparatus of the class described, in combination, a framework including longitudinal members, conveyer troughing and idler rollers carried by said framework, means holding the forward end of said framework stationary and means at the reai' end thereof to apply tension to said longitudinal frame members. el. Conveying apparatus of the class described, in combination, a framework including loingitudinal members, conveyer troughand idler rollers carried by said framework, means holding the forward end of said framework .stationary7 means at the rear end thereof to apply tension to said longitudinal frame members and means on said longitudinal members to allow the extension of said framework.

5. Conveying apparatus of the class described, in combination, a lower framework including longitudinal members, means maintaining said members in parallel spaced relation, conveyer troughing and idler rollers carried by said framework, means to place said longitudinal frame members under tension, a second conveyer framework similar to said first, and means on said second framework adapted to support it for longitudinal adjustment on the uppermost longitudinal members of the lower framework.

(S. Conveying apparatus of the class described, in combination, a lower conveyer framework, an upper conveyer framework overlapping said lower framework, each framework including four longitudinal members parallel to each other and arranged at the four corners of a rectangle, brace members maintaining said spacing, belt rollers carried by said frameworks, means to place the lonigtudinal members of the lower framework under tension, and grooved rollers journalled on said upper framework and adapted to run on the upper longitudinal members of the lower framework to support the upper framework.

'l'. Conveying apparatus of the class described, in combination, ak lower conveyer framework, an upper conveyer framework overlapping said lower framework at one end, movable charging apparatus attached to the opposite end of said upper framework,

supporting means for said charging apparatus, and means on said upper framework adapted to roll on said lower framework whereby the amount of overlap of said conveyers may be adjusted.

8. Conveying apparatus of the class described, in combination, a lower conveyer framework, a belt therefor, a discharge mechanism at one end thereof, an upper conveyer framework partially overlapping said lower framework, a belt therefor, a movable means attached to the free end of said upper framework to move it, means on said movable means to drive said upper belt, means on said discharge mechanism to drive said lower belt in the same direction and means supporting said overlapping portion of said upper framework above said lower framework.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

FRANK D. ENNEY. 

